John Mark’s Study Abroad

The Parthenon is the building I have been doing extensive research on. At the end of the Trip i should have a full chapter done for the book we are writing.  The information i find is a combination of facts that i have pulled together from multiple sources.

History

The Persian War plays a vital role to the construction of the Parthenon.  In 490 BC, the flourishing Persian Army, ruled by Xerxes, invaded Athens at the Battle of Marathon.  The Athenians were greatly outnumbered, but due to their passionate love for freedom they defeated the large Persian army.  At the end of the day 162 Athenians lay dead, but 6400 Persians had fallen. The long run of the messenger who conveyed news of the victory to Athens became the inspiration for the 26.2 mile marathon race.

The Athenians believed that Athena, Zeus’ favorite daughter and the goddess strong in wisdom and war, helped them gain victory over the Persians at the Battle of Marathon.  To honor her, and the men lost in the battle, the Athenians decided to build a temple on the Acropolis, meaning high city. 

Before work could begin on the temple parts of the Acropolis had to be leveled down, and even larger parts had to be built up.  Regular blocks of limestone were used to create a wall along the south side of the Parthenon.  By 480BC, the foundations had been laid and work had begun, but then the Persians attacked again.  This time the Persians did not under estimate the Athenians, therefore capturing the city and destroying the Acropolis.

The next year the Athenians, lead by the Spartans, joined many other city-states to once again defeat the Persians.  Although all of the surrounding city-states had been liberated, they where still fearful of another Persian attack.  In order to keep the Persians in check, each city would supply ships or money.  The Athenians, who had the largest navy fleet, were the leaders of the newly devolved alliance, know as the Delian League.

Many city-states began to just supply money to the Athenians, and in return the Athenians would provide protection from the Persians.  In 454 a considerable amount of the Delian League money was controversially spent to rebuild the ravaged Athenian Acropolis.  In 449 The Athenians made peace with the Persians, but decided that the surrounding city states should still continue to pay tribute-money to the Delian League.  The city-states gain freedom of the seas, and the Athenians gained the needed funds to rebuild their magnificent city, including the Parthenon.